Young Lit & Phil
and Choirs of Durham
“Can architecture be heard?[...] we hear the sounds it reflects and they, too give us an impression of form and material”
(Experiencing Architecture, Rasmuseen, 1964, p.224)
WORKBOOK/ DEVELOPMENT
CONSTRACTIONAL&
STRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGIES
FEASIBILITY REPORT
A strong bond exists between religion and both Lit & Phil society and Durham city. That bond derives from the very beginning of their history and marks the evolution through all those centuries.
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One of the main mean to communicate religion is music. As a result of this strong bond in the religion, many choirs were developed to perform in the different churches, as well as the cathedral, all over the city of Durham. It is really common when you visit the Cathedral to run on a rehearsal since the chorales don’t own their own space.
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Aims of the Project:
Through my project I aim to create a new space for the different chorales to rehearsal but also to provide small concert space giving them the opportunity for private space but also to practice different chants of Christian music.
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Every Cathedral or church has been constructed in such a way, which defines the type of music that can be performed.
Thus, the new building’s design will be informed by analysis of different ecclesiastic typologies in terms of Form, materials and atmospheres aiming to provide a place of experimentation which will not limit the variety of different chants that can be performed.
The new space will also accommodate a small-scale library with religious music books that everybody can study but also a small CD collection they can listen to.
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The building will provide a small bar that it can be used for different purposes such as an assembling space after the services on Sunday or for a drink before a performance on the main Concert space.
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The idea behind the building is the link to Christianity through music and architecture symbols of different cathedral typologies. It will present music as a mean to communicate religion to believers without being at the church and to connect them with nature by forcing views to the river. The building will also question architecture elements, shapes, and the way that people move around religious typologies.
Concept Response:
Religion:
1.Celebrated through the journey of the public to get from the riverside to the performance space where the choirs will sing the religious songs.
2.Through the forced of the views to the surroundings in order to create the warm atmosphere.
Circulation:
1. Following the classical proportions line- arc circulation of the public- uninterrupted spaces - Aisle
2.Define the circulation spaces and cele- bration of the grid by using different type of domes.
Acoustics:
1.Materials such as wood panels and wooden furniture to absorb of sound, and concrete to allow longer sounds
2.Dome arches reflect the sounds
Elevation in context
Elevation section in context
Section in context
Section in context
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UNDERGROUND FLOOR
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1.Reception - lobby
2.Library
3.Meeting Room
4.Practice space
5.Staff office
6.Rehearsal space seating area 7. Rehearsal space
8.Storage room
9.Lift
10.Plant room
11.Disable WC
12. Reading area
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LEVEL 1
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13.Terrace
14.Bar Seating area
15.Bar
16.Bar storage
17.Cleaners storage
18. WC
19.WC Disable
20.Uniforms Storage
21.Balcony Seating area for the Rehearsal room
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LEVEL 2
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22.Standing of Choral
23.Seating area
24.Control booth
25.Lift
Roof plan
Roof plan
